Whether you need to order gloves, under pads, or lube, if you have a spinal cord injury, you will need to have a relationship with a durable medical equipment supplier. Not all durable medical equipment suppliers however are created equal. There are thousands of companies in the US that provide this service, and it is paramount the supplier you go with is great on every level.
One of the first things to do when choosing a durable medical equipment supplier is to ask what other people think about the supplier, preferably people who also have spinal cord injuries. They can tell you the real truth, from making sure the supplier has enough of what you need at all times to make sure the delivery is on-time on a regular basis.
Any durable medical equipment supplier can tell you they will do all of these things, but someone with a spinal cord injury can absolutely verify it. When it comes to something as important as your medical supplies, you don't want to fool around. First-person reviews from others with disabilities are a must when choosing a durable medical equipment supplier.
With that said, as we mentioned above, you'll need to make sure any supplier you choose never goes out of stock or rarely does, with what you need. Also, a good durable medical equipment supplier will ensure your deliveries are quick and on time. Typically, you'll want your delivery to arrive in 48 hours. To ensure this, choose a supplier that is as close to you as possible, especially with the lag in deliveries due to the Covid years.
And lastly, make a list of the supplies you will need and approach a possible supplier. Don't forget to make sure they also accept your insurance. Most people with Medicare Medicaid however will be covered by most suppliers.
Andrew Hippert, the founder of Living Spinal, woke up in a hospital after breaking his neck and damaging his spinal cord. At the time, he didn’t know how difficult it could be for people with paralysis to communicate their needs over the phone to receive the right medical supply advice and products. The main obstacle was that most customer service representatives didn’t have any experience with the products he needed. If you have never lived in a wheelchair and tried to use a catheter, taken a wheelchair to a park, or even pushed yourself up a steep hill, it’s hard to understand the difficulties and help others with creative solutions. Living Spinal understands and makes every effort to truly assist customers with obtaining the equipment they need.
3230 E Pershing St, Appleton, WI 54911
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Living Spinal is owned by a member of the paralysis community who truly understands life from a wheelchair user's perspective. A portion of every purchase is donated to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. Living Spinal also offers Price Match Guarantee and a Wheelchair Buyback Program. They support adaptive sports, and they have a Scholarship Program to support future Entrepreneurs. The list goes on and on with everything this company does to supply and assist the paralysis community with the DME they need.
With the launch of their website in 1996, Allegro Medical became the first company to sell medical supplies online. Their journey began with the help of their first employees, experienced caregivers from the healthcare industry. Together they identified the challenges presented by caring for patients in a home healthcare setting as well as the benefits in providing the skills and resources to gain independence.
360 Veterans Pkwy #115, Bolingbrook, IL
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With price match guarantee, Allegro Medical is a strong choice for thousands of medical products. Reviews state repeatedly that they have great customer service and fast shipping times.
Vitality Medical was founded in January 2000 by a licensed Registered Nurse with the purpose of providing quality medical supplies to improve the lives of customers and to support their personal independence. Vitality Medical has since expanded to offer health and wellness products as well. They supply over 100,000 products from wound dressings to exercise equipment. They work to keep prices low so that when insurance won't cover it, you can still afford what you need.
7910 South 3500 East Suite C, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121
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Vitality Medical has supplied over 2.5 million customers since they started in 2000 and has highly reputable reviews on everything from Google Shopping to Bloomberg to Trust Pilot to the Better Business Bureau. They are a solid company that provides reliable shipping and service.
Express Medical Supply is a family-run medical supply store that has placed customers first since 1994. They believe that offering quality medical supplies, such as adult diapers and wheelchairs, at discounted prices is paramount to the satisfaction of customers. Each order is double checked before it is shipped to ensure that you receive the right medical supplies at the best possible quality. Express Medical Supply is located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. This centralized location helps reduce shipping times and provides fast delivery of your quality medical supplies.
218 Seebold Spur, Fenton, MO 63026
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Express Medical also comes with a highly reviewed reputation and is known for faster shipping times. They specialize in ostomy supplies, catheter supplies, wound care products, mobility products, compression stockings, and more. Customer Service representatives can be reached via phone, as well.
Spinal cord injuries are traumatic for patients and their families. They cause disruptive changes to every aspect of your life and there is a lot of new information to navigate and understand. Our experts have collected everything in one place to help you learn more about your injury, locate doctors and treatment centers, find financial support, and get assistance navigating your next move.
Sponsored by Tampa medical malpractice attorneys Swope, Rodante P.A. a Florida law firm located at 1234 E 5th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605.
The information provided by SpinalCord.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, see Disclaimer Policy.